Last Word

Pictured: Dame Vera LynnMatthew Bannister on: Professor Geoffrey Burnstock, the eminent neurobiologist who identified the function of a neurotransmitter called ATP with important implications for the treatment of many conditions including strokes, cancer and cystic fibrosis. Larry Kramer, the outspoken gay rights campaigner who organised direct action to force the US government to confront the AIDS crisis. Pierre Nkurunziza, the President of Burundi who used violence to hold on to power after his constitutional term ended. Dame Vera Lynn, the singer known as “the forces’ sweetheart” for her songs of hope during the second world war.Interviewed guest: Professor Mike Spyer Interviewed guest: Professor Timothy Arnett Interviewed guest: Peter Tatchell Interviewed guest: Vava TampaProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Interview with Geoffrey Burnstock, Queen Mary, University of London 10/03/2008; Meridian, Radio 4 20/06/1995; Arena, BBC Two 05/02/1993; The Late Show, BBC Two 10/10/1989; Pierre Nkurunziza Interview, Woodrow Wilson Center 16/04/2013; Burundi’s Football President, Journeyman Pictures 17/11/2015; Nkurunziza Wins Disputed Election, Al Jazeera 25/07/2015; Burundi Coup Attempt, BBC News 13/05/2015; Desert Island Discs: Dame Vera Lynn, Radio 4 03/09/1989; The Emma Freud Show, Radio 1 01/01/2000.

Pictured: Christo JavacheffMatthew Bannister on:The artist Christo Javacheff, best known for his extremely ambitious projects to wrap significant buildings and landscapes in fabric. They included the Reichstag in Berlin and the coastline of Australia. Cathie Sabin, who was the first woman to be President of the Lawn Tennis Association.Dorothy Wakely, who served as a Signals Planner with the Special Operations Executive during the second world war.Jonathan Whitehead, the versatile musician who provided the soundtracks for many TV comedies including Green Wing, Smack the Pony and The Day Today. His friend and colleague Chris Morris pays tribute.Interviewed guest: Will Gompertz Interviewed guest: Ben Sabin Interviewed guest: Vicky Williams Interviewed guest: Simon Wakely Interviewed guest: Clare Mulley Interviewed guest: Chris MorrisProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Christo interview: London Mastaba floating installation, Dezeen 08/08/2018; Public Art Enhancing Cities, Bloomberg Philanthropies 26/06/2018; Christo & Jeanne-Claude put Berlin’s Reichstag under wraps, CBS Sunday Morning 25/06/1995; Christo on ‘Wrapped Coast’, Art Gallery of NSW 03/08/2011; Front Row, Radio 4 16/11/2004; Highlights: Davis Cup, Davis Cup 29/11/2015; Andy Murray wins Wimbledon, Wimbledon 07/07/2013; Andy Murray wins Olympic Gold, Olympic 24/08/2016; Cathie Sabin: The Lawn Tennis Association, Shrewsbury U3A 15/03/2019; VE Day – 70 Years Ago, British Pathe 08/05/2015; Brass Eye: Drugs, Channel 4 1997.

Pictured: Stanley HoJulian Worricker on:The man praised by both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown for being the architect of the national minimum wage, Roger Fellows….One of Asia’s richest men - the gambling tycoon, Stanley Ho, who transformed the economy of Macau….The educationist Margaret Meek Spencer, who influenced a generation of children and teachers by emphasising the joy of reading...And the musician who wrote and performed the first African single to sell a million copies around the world, Mory Kanté.Interviewed guest: Chris Pond Interviewed guest: Liz Barclay Interviewed guest: Jill McGivering Interviewed guest: Julia Eccleshare Interviewed guest: Robin DenselowProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Labour Party Conference, BBC News 1995; Tokyo Celebrates Victory in China, Pathé News 1938; The Money Makers: Betting On A Certainty, BBC Two 18/03/1986; Stanley Ho interview, CNN 26/05/2020; Today, Radio 4 07/06/1997; Macau handover to China, AP Archive 23/07/2015; Correspondent: Hong Kong, BBC Two 07/06/1997; Reading Between The Lines, Radio 4 03/06/2012; Ted Hughes reads The Iron Man, Iconic, 24/10/2011; Mory Kanté interview, L’invité, 03/07/2012.

Pictured: Margaret MaughanJulian Worricker on Britain’s first Paralympic gold medallist, Margaret Maughan; Tanni Grey-Thompson compares the games of 1960 and now….The music promoter and producer, John Cumming, co-founder of the London Jazz Festival….Jerry Givens, once a state executioner….but then a leading campaigner in the United States for the abolition of the death penalty….And the comedy writer, John Langdon; his friend and colleague Rory Bremner, recalls some of his best lines….Interviewed guest: Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE Interviewed guest: Peter White Interviewed guest: Nod Knowles Interviewed guest: Abraham Bonowitz Interviewed guest: Rory BremnerProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Rome Olympics 1960, Pathe News; No Triumph, No Tragedy, Radio 4 29/04/2013; Cerys on 6, 6 Music 05/11/2017; John Cumming interview, Jazz FM 17/11/2013; Former executioner opposes death penalty, Washington Post 11/02/2013; Week Ending, Radio 4 21/03/1980; Two Decades of Week Ending, Radio 4 07/09/1990; The News Quiz, Radio 4 03/09/1994; Bremner, Bird and Fortune: Silly Money, Vera Productions Ltd / Channel 4 02/11/2008.

Pictured: Lord Robert May of OxfordMatthew Bannister onLord May, a former Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK government and President of the Royal Society. He developed the concept of the R value in tracking the spread of infectious diseases and laid down key principles for scientific advice to politicians.Judith Darmady, the paediatrician who travelled to Romania to help thousands of children who had been abandoned in so-called orphanages.Mark Barkan, the songwriter and record producer who wrote “Pretty Flamingo” which was a hit for Manfred Mann and many other artists. Singer Paul Jones pays tribute. Saroj Lal, the Indian-born teacher who played a leading role in campaigning for racial equality in Scotland. Interviewed guest: Lord John Krebs of Wytham Interviewed guest: Jane Waldron Interviewed guest: John Illman Interviewed guest: Bridget Barkan Interviewed guest: Paul Jones Interviewed guest: Vineet LalProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Desert Island Discs: Lord Robert May, Radio 4, 05/06/2012; Ceausescu's Children, BBC News, 30/01/2010; Heaven and Hell, National Museum of Scotland, 2000; The Usual Suspects, Radio Scotland, 13/12/1996; I Believe, You Believe, BBC One Scotland, May 1984.

Matthew Bannister onThe rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard, whose flamboyant performances and powerful vocal style influenced many who came after him.Janet Carr, the psychologist whose long-running study changed attitudes to people with Down’s Syndrome.John Horton Conway, the playful mathematician who invented the Game of Life.Florian Schneider, the co-founder of the mould-breaking German electronic band Kraftwerk.Interviewed guest: Geoff Barker Interviewed guest: Sally Carr Interviewed guest: Penny Warren Interviewed guest: Sir Roger Penrose OM FRS Interviewed guest: Colm Mulcahy Interviewed guest: Adam Sweeting Producer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Little Richard In His Own Words, 6 Music 11/05/2020; Little Richard - A Whop Bop A Lua A Whop Bam Boom, Radio 2 05/12/2012; John Horton Conway: Life, Death and the Monster, Numberphile 09/05/2014; Florian Schneider Interview, Silverstar Club 1998; Florian Schneider, Parley x COP21: Oceans, Climate, Life 08/12/2015.

Pictured: Catherine HamlinMatthew Bannister onCatherine Hamlin the obstetrician who, with her husband, set about tackling the devastating effects of obstetric fistulae in the women of Ethiopia.Irrfan Khan, the actor whose career brought stardom in both Indian and Hollywood films, like Jurassic World, Slumdog Millionaire and The Amazing Spiderman.The South African anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg who stood trial alongside Nelson Mandela.Anne Sayer, the long distance walker who was the first British woman to cover 100 miles in less than 24 hours.Interviewed guest: Julia Langdon Interviewed guest: Asjad Nazir Interviewed guest: Sir Nicholas Stadlen Interviewed guest: Julie WelchProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: The Oprah Winfrey Show, Syndication/Harpo Studios 2014; Asian Network's Big Debate, Asian Network 29/04/2020; The Lunchbox, directed by Ritesh Batra, Sikhya Entertainment 2013; Jurassic World, directed by Colin Trevorrow, Universal Pictures 2015; Piku, directed by Shoojit Sircar, MSM Motion Pictures 2015; Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan, Celador Films/Film 4 2008; Pienaar’s Politics, 5 Live 24/01/2016.

Pictured: Ronan O’RahillyMatthew Bannister onRonan O’Rahilly, the Irish businessman who ran the pirate radio station Radio Caroline on a ship off the coast of Essex.Sir John Houghton, the atmospheric physicist who was Director of the Met Office and co-chair of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change.Sue Davies, who founded and ran the Photographers' Gallery in London, supporting the careers of many leading photographers.Barbara Smoker, the outspoken atheist and anarchist who was President of the National Secular Society.Interviewed guest: Ray Clark Interviewed guest: Hannah Malcolm Interviewed guest: Dave Roberts Interviewed guest: Paul Hardaker Interviewed guest: Amanda Hopkinson Interviewed guest: Chris Steele-Perkins Interviewed guest: Professor Anthony Costello Interviewed guest: Denis CobellProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Arena: Caroline 199: A Pirate's Tale, BBC Two 01/03/1991; The Story of Pop, Radio 1 26/01/1974; Ray Clark on Radio Caroline 1987; Belief, Radio 3 10/06/2012; Interview with Sue Davies, courtesy of The Photographers’ Gallery; Seeds of Faith, Radio 4 14/07/1996; Today, Radio 4 16/12/2002.

Pictured: Dame Jocelyn BarrowMatthew Bannister onThe artist, professor of architecture and expert on sacred geometry Keith Critchlow. He was a key figure in the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts and advised on the design of Islamic-influenced buildings all over the world.Dame Jocelyn Barrow who was an educator and leading campaigner against racial discrimination. She was the first black woman to be a Governor of the BBC.Leonard 'Nipper' Read, the respected detective who doggedly pursued the Kray twins.John Prine, the American country singer known for writing songs which offer a wry commentary on the human condition. Interviewed guest: Jon Allen Interviewed guest: Ian Skelly Interviewed guest: Baroness Valerie Amos Interviewed guest: Professor Dick Hobbs Interviewed guest: Bob HarrisProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: Britain's Best Buildings, BBC Two 16/11/2002; Night Waves, Radio 3 07/12/2004; Analysis, Radio 4 28/10/1976; It’s a Fair Cop: Leonard ‘Nipper’ Read, Radio 4 07/12/1976; BBC News, BBC One 13/10/1969.

Pictured: Sir Stirling Moss OBEMatthew Bannister on Sir Stirling Moss, the iconic British racing driver, noted for his courage and patriotism. Although he never won the world championship, he stormed to victory in many Formula 1 and sports car races. Professor Margaret Burbidge, the pioneering astronomer who carried out extensive work on quasars. Mahmoud Jibril, who became interim Prime Minister of Libya after the fall of Colonel Gaddafi. Tim Brooke-Taylor, the comic actor best known for his parts in The Goodies and I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. Bill Oddie and Graeme Garden pay tribute.Interviewed guest: Simon Taylor Interviewed guest: Lord Martin Rees Interviewed guest: Amira Fathalla Interviewed guest: Chris Serle Interviewed guest: Graeme Garden OBE Interviewed guest: Bill Oddie OBEProducer: Neil GeorgeArchive clips from: HardTalk: Stirling Moss, BBC News 23/12/2010; The World Tonight, Radio 4 18/11/1971; HardTalk: Mahmoud Jibril, BBC News 23/10/2011; Woman’s Hour, Radio 4 03/08/1977; I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, Radio 4 04/01/2016; Front Row, Radio 4 26/09/2018; I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again, Radio 2 02/11/1977.